The Rhodes Not Taken
Glee Episode Review
In which April should not be left unsupervised with children. (Part of the Glee! Whee! project)
What Happened
Will is having trouble now that Rachel has ditched Glee for a starring role in the school muscial. Learning that as long as a student didn't graduate they are eligible to join Glee, Will tracks down April Rhodes, who he remembers as the most talented kid in his Glee club. Having dropped out and gone in search of fame and fortune, April is now an alcoholic squatter who is pathetically grateful that someone is taking an honest interest in her.
Emma tells Finn that he might qualify for a music scholarship if Glee goes well, but Finn doesn't think they can place at Regionals without Rachel. So he brazenly plays on her obvious crush on him in the hopes of winning her back to Glee. When Rachel discovers that Quinn is pregnant and Finn is the father, she slaps him for lying to her and vows never to return to Glee.
April realizes that she'll have to win over the students, so she starts a charm campaign. Giving Kurt alcohol. Teaching Mercedes and Tina how to shoplift. And hitting the showers with Puck, if you know what I mean and I think you do. Worried after Kurt ralphs all over Emma, Will offers April one last chance, but when she shows up drunk for a performance he tells her that it's over. Having realized herself that she doesn't belong onstage with the kids anymore, April sets off again in search of stardom.
Having watched Glee Club perform without her, Rachel realizes that she really does want to be part of the group and apologizes - in her own way - for deserting them.
What I Covet
- April's hair. (She's an alcohlic who can barely manage to dress herself, why does she have such pretty hair?)
What Was Fun But Probably Shouldn't Have Been
- April corrupting all the kids.
What I Loved
- "Maybe This Time." Loved the performance from Kristen Chenoweth. Pretty much her whole story here was a really good use of a guest star.
- "Somebody to Love Me." Favorite song so far.
Best Lines
Kurt: "Oh, Bambi. I cried so hard when the hunters shot your mommy!"
What Did I Think?
Finn is downright sneaky, isn't he? In a way, there's a strong parallel between his flirting with Rachel and WIll's recruitment of the obviously desperate-to-have-something-that-doesn't-suck April.
When I look at the season as a whole, there is a strong theme of growing up and not getting "The Dream" you thought you wanted when you were a kid. There's a real bitter tang to some of what they do. I think it's what makes the show work, because it pulls back the overt cheeriness and theatricality. They'll want to make sure that everything stays well balanced and doesn't become either bleak and vicious or complete farce without any consequences.